ACC Might Double the Lowest Allowed Drink Price in Athens

The Athens-Clarke County Commission may end $1 drink specials in downtown bars by doubling the minimum drink price to $2. This policy is supported by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and was recommended in the 2017 Downtown Health and Safety Study, which found that excessive drinking downtown was the cause of many health problems, including injuries, DUIs and exposure to human waste. But will raising drink prices actually help curb binge drinking? Researchers around the world have looked closely at this question over the past few decades. While some studies disagree on the specifics, there is broad agreement that demand for alcohol…